IDF suspends eight veteran soldiers on suspicion of hazing young recruit

Eight veteran soldiers from the IDF’s Kfir Brigade have been suspended over allegations revealed Friday that they beat and abused a young recruit during a training exercise in the southern Jordan Valley.

The victim required medical attention and was transferred to Haemek Medical Center in Afula.

Kfir Brigade commander Col. Udi Ben Moha suspended the eight soldiers pending an investigation by the Military Police, the findings of which will be passed to the military prosecutor, reported the IDF Spokesperson.

In March, four Givati Brigade soldiers were charged with abuse in aggravated circumstances and conduct unbecoming of a soldier for hazing several young recruits.

In that case, the soldiers were accused of beating their younger counterparts with iron bars and tree branches. During proceedings at the Military Court of the Southern Command, the Givati soldiers said in their defense that they had experienced the same treatment when they were young recruits.